Recovery Question for Moms Who Had a C-section

Let me know what you find out! My son is just 2 and I still have a "continental shelf" :-) I have to hit the gym much harder and do cardio but I wonder if it ever goes...

Hi! I just turned 31 last week, I have one baby girl who is 14 months now. I too had a c-section-planned cause I had back surgery 5 months be4 I got prego due to an injury....
I lost my pregnancy weight the first month after the baby was born-think it was a combination of yogurt/granola,breastfeeding & not eating much cause I was not good at knowing how to balance taking care of the baby & myself....I cared more about getting some zzz than eating. BUT my body still has not changed back to the shape I had before pregnancy. I only gained 28 pounds but the way I wear myself now is completley altered. My hips are larger but more so it's the 'pooch' that keeps me from fitting into my pre prego pants. I also eat healthy BUT do not exercise on a regular basis. I am on my feet more then not but haven't found the hours in the day to get to the gym nor do I find it easy to try @ home while caring for my daughter. I am pretty much convinced that this is my shape now or @ least until I get serious with exercising or dieting-which I do not want to do since I eat so healthy as it is & don't want to take away any random times that I splurge & have an ice cream cone or a dessert....especially since we are trying for #2, I'd rather get prego again & then get back in shape when I am done having children...why do all the work & then gain again & then have to do the work again when I am already @ the size I was before my first pregnancy accept like I said my shape is different....so this is where I am @ with this. I heard that once you have a c-section you never get rid of that pouch....no matter what you do unless you get a tummy tuck because of where the incision was & since it heals like a dent in our skin...It was nice to hear that the 'hips' deal is not just me. I only breastfed for 5 months cause I got 3 infections before my OB said 'quit it' already since my body was not adjusting & I am convinced that because I did not continue my body never really shrunk back. All of my friends breastfed so none of them relate with me on the 'hips' & most of them look better then they ever have....Good luck & thanks for asking the question cause I feel the same way. Take care & enjoy your little angel!

I had a c-section and the same experience as you are describing. It was frustrating because I always saw myself as a trim and fit person. I also got my exercise from walking with the stroller but didn't have time (or energy) to go to the gym. My son is now 2.5 years old and the "pouch" is almost gone, but still not back to pre-pregnancy by any means. I think breast-feeding had a lot to do with it. My son nursed for about 22 months. I noticed my body changing more rapidly after he stopped completely. I am a big advocate for breast feeding, so despite not having my body the way I wanted it to look, I was glad we did it this way. I found it helpful to buy a few things that looked really good on me in the shape I was in. It made me feel better about myself. Now as I am making my way to my old shape, I still have to adjust my idea of wardrobe. My old clothes still don't fit right, but neither do the post-maternity clothes. I do my best and my son is healthy and I am proud to have taken such good care of him--despite the cost to my figure. Small price to pay if you ask me.

I had my fourth c-section five months ago. I was able to get my belly back after each baby. I found that I had to wait until I was finished nursing before really being able to get "most" of my body back. I had to wait until I could really lose all the weight. No matter how much I exercised, it didn't help. I really needed to cut back on the eating in order to lose all the weight. But, my milk supply goes down when I cut back on calories. Also, if you have another c-section, ask your doctor to tuck a little of the skin. Mine did it and that may be what helped too.

J.,

I have a 3 year old and a 15 month old, both delivered by C-section. I still have a small pouch and I have been stepping both feet into the gym. I did not really develop hips during the pregnancies, so they were not affected and have remained nearly intact. In regards to when "it" goes away, I do not know. I think your walking has and will continue to contribute to your weight loss, but keep everything in perspective. You brought life into the world and despite all your efforts, there will likely remain rements of that voyage. Being a young mother myself (29), I understand your dilemna, boy do I. I recommend keeping up your daily walks and ab work outs. Also, I suggest you increase the intensity to your work outs to include some high paced running or power walking. From the trainers I speak to at my gym, vigourous work outs with changes in intensity/ intervals seem to help burn the excess fat that child birth, especially via C-sections can leave. Good luck to you, me and all the mommies of the world. It will leave, but it will take time. Do not compare yourself to your friends or other people you see. It will make you depressed and does no good. We all are different with different recovery times that depend on our own bodies make up. Smile, your baby loves you, pouch and all!
- T.

I didn't have a c-section, but in response to the hips--it was probably about 9 months for me. When I gain weight, it tends to go to my lower half, and it was about that time that I lost the weight.

Hi

I had a c section about 16 months ago. I am down to my same weight as before, but my hips and my rib cage are wider and not going back. I still have to wear extenders on my bras. My stomach is flat, except over the part of the c section that is crooked. My lovely doctor cut it from down to up by accident, so goofy and frustrating, still dealing with having a crooked scar. But keep telling myself after a version, and 55 hours of labor, having a healthy baby is the most important part. take care.

Hi J. -
I have had two c-sections - the latest 8 mo. ago. After my first, I was really worried I wouldn't lose the "pouch" just like you - but I came pretty close. My second is still there, but I can tell that I am losing it slowly but surely. Im trying to not worry about it and just go with the flow. Im sure that nobody but you and maybe your hubby notice anything :). I do exercise like crazy - I don't think that helps that much though, so don't beat yourself up if you are unable to.

I feel your pain girl! I was always slender before getting pregnant with my daughter (13 months old now) but gained 50 pounds while pregnant and athough I lost most of the weight in the first couple months I'm still working on the last five pounds. My tummy is flat again, but right above my incision is still droopy (aka kangaroo pouch). I havn't hit the gym yet either (no time!) but have started trying to do pilates at home and have noticed that has helped firm that area a bit. I'm still breastfeeding so maybe that is helping with the weight loss but not sure. I've always been a pear shape and although I now fit back in my pre-baby pants my hips are definately bigger than they were and I have a bit of a 'muffin top' now even though my waist, butt, and thighs are back to normal. Ahh the joys of motherhood! :)Hang in there... you'll get your body back in time too I'm sure, but in the mean time enjoy your little one and wear your battle scar with pride! :)

Hi J.,
I had a c-section over 4 yrs ago, an back into my pre-baby clothes and still have it. My plastic surgeon calls it the OB overhang. The only way to completely eliminate it is with a tummy tuck. If I had had my plastic surgeon close me he could have reduced it though.
Sincerely,
L.

Hey I had 2 C sections and I still have the Kangaroo pouch...not a whole lot you can do....I tried the crunches and ab exercizes and walking I had my daughter when I was 32 and my son when I was 34....I am 55 yrs old now and consider myself in pretty good shape but still have the pouch....It takes a while before you feel like yourself again....remember...Csection is still a major surgery!! give your body time to get back to normal....Rest and healthy diet is the most important!! and ENJOY being a mom!!
Babies are wonderful....Good luck....

Dear J.,
I have had 2 C-sections and I am VERY familiar with the kangaroo pouch! Unfortunately no matter how much weight you lose you will always have that hanging pouch. They had a dr on THE VIEW and Elizabeth (miss skinny herself!!) had just had her baby with a C-section and she asked the same question and got the depressing answer I just gave you. The only answer was surgery. You can get slim but you will always have a slight pouch! Wish they had told me that before!!
Good Luck.